Team Lead Operator

Wenger LLC; Galena (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

JBT Marel in the United States is seeking a CNC Team Leader to oversee machining operations, drive safety, quality, and productivity across shifts, and ensure the CNC area delivers parts to exact customer specifications and internal standards.

You will mentor machinists, troubleshoot tooling and program issues, coordinate with CNC programmers, scheduler/planner, and quality and safety teams, and uphold Wenger operating principles of Initiative, Ingenuity and Integrity in every shift.

Qualifications

• Must be able to lead others across multiple shifts and manage self.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and specifications.
• Experience with manufacturing process improvement and problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Ensure team follows safety policies and procedures.
• Drive a team environment and Wenger principles across shifts.
• Make timely and critical decisions during a shift.
• Define standard work methods and ensure consistency across shifts.
• Lead problem solving to improve performance.
• Train and develop machinists and resolve on-machine issues.
• Own the machining area tooling and setup considerations.
• Plan workload for future jobs with minimal downtime.
• Audit team members to standard work instructions and implement improvements.

Skills

Team leadership

Problem solving

Communication

Reading drawings

English language

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Machining tools knowledge

Job description

The Role: The CNC Team Leader is a working machinist position facilitating the production, quality and operation of the CNC machining area. The Team Leader will hold full accountability, facilitate a fully functional engaged team environment, aid in troubleshooting machining errors, assist with setup, fixtures and tooling needs of new jobs, communicate effectively with other area leads and backfill roles in the absence of other leads. The Team Leader will also coordinate with the CNC Programmer, Scheduler/Planner, Quality and Safety associates to ensure customer and Company requirements are met. The Team Leader will also participate in self and corporate talent development, engagement and role model the Wenger operating principles of Initiative, Ingenuity and Integrity.

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensure team is following all safety policies and procedures.
• Drive a team environment and the Wenger operating principles across multiple work shifts.
• Make timely, critical and far-reaching decision(s) during a shift.
• Define standard work methods for the team and ensure team is performing across shifts to standard.
• Lead problem solving activities with the teams to continuously improve performance.
• Assist in the training and development of machinists, answering work questions, resolving operating difficulties, and reviewing completed work assignments.
• Utilize skills to protect against potential damage to all machines and in particular, to take overall ownership of machining area.
• Proactive awareness of workload and plan requirements for future jobs ensuring work for each work center with minimal downtime across work shifts.
• Audit team members to standard work instructions and improve as needed through action plans.
• Troubleshoot and resolve abnormal conditions involving tooling, materials, programs, equipment and part specifications (contact on-call Wenger maintenance technicians to facilitate necessary repairs).
• Document occurrence and resolution of abnormalities and problem solve to prevent recurrence.
• Participates in inspections and investigations by gathering data related to proper utilization of labor, equipment, materials and facilities.
• Perform other duties as assigned or as the need arises.

Physical/Environmental Requirements:

Manufacturing environment: may be exposed to loud noises, machinery with moving parts Standing on a concrete floor Wearing proper personal protective equipment (safety glasses, bump cap w/face shield, ear plugs andsafety shoes) Bending, stooping, twist, turn, standing for extended time periods, reaching, climbing stairs, and lifting up to 50lbs occasionally

Minimum Qualifications:

High Ability and willingness to develop and manage self. Must be able to successfully lead others across multiple shifts. Must have strong problem solving and conflict resolution skills. Ability to share expertise and knowledge throughout the machine shop and be focal point for advice on machining operations. Have a high school diploma, GED or equivalent education. Must be able to read and interpret engineering drawings and specifications for manufacturing requirements. Ability to work on complex parts from drawings, including one-offs, and R&D projects. Apply knowledge, when required, for manufacturing parts from raw material to finished part specifications. Performs support in manufacturing engineer duties, may include plant layout, scrap reduction and quality assurance functions, as well as Six-Sigma projects to drive continual improvements. Must be willing and able to work and accept varying shifts and schedules Ability to understand and effectively communicate inthe English language

Welcome to our temporary careers site. While we finalize our new website, you can explore open roles and start your career journey with JBT Marel here. At JBT Marel, we’re transforming the future of food through technology, innovation, and collaboration. Our work helps make the global food system more sustainable — and it’s powered by thousands of talented people around the world. We value collaboration, integrity, innovation, and continuous growth — and we believe the best ideas come from diverse perspectives working together. If you’re looking for meaningful work and the chance to make a real impact, explore opportunities at JBT Marel and get ready to transform the future of food.